Fame is something invisible and intangible, yet undeniably real. You can call it reputation, or perhaps prestige. Like an invisible fence, it silently shapes how others perceive our outward image.
Even the greediest vampire merchants will pose as generous philanthropists in public; even the most corrupt officials will act as upright, caring leaders to their people.
The higher one's position and fame, the more they obsess over their public image, never daring to show their true nature in public.
However... I was a hopeless idiot to think Aqua and the others would actually care about their image and stop acting foolish just because they'd gained fame!
Outside the mansion in the suburbs where Adam and the others lived lay a large open space. What should have been an empty green field was now packed with people.
"Come out here at once!" "We demand an explanation!" "That's right! We want answers!"
A large crowd of villagers had gathered, demanding the『Hero』Party — Adam and his companions — come out to explain themselves.
Seeing the situation escalating, the said hero quickly emerged to intervene, followed by Aqua, Megumin, Darkness, and Kazuma.
"Please, everyone, quiet down!" Adam positioned himself atop a wooden box, surveying the villagers below. The chaos subsided as he used magic to amplify his voice, "I am Adam Carter, leader of the Hero Party. Whatever concerns you have, I'm here to address them!"
But the villagers immediately erupted into a cacophony of voices, chaos returning in full force.
"One at a time!" Takemu called out. He pointed to an elderly man in farmer's clothes, "Elder, you first! Share your concerns freely!"
The crowd fell silent, all ears turned to hear the elder's grievances.
"Lord Adam! I wouldn't be here if I had a choice, but that mentally unstable chūnibyō Crimson Demon girl from your party visits my farm daily to cast Explosion Magic! My cattle and sheep scatter in terror. How am I supposed to manage if this continues?!" The elder's expression was truly pitiful.
"Hey! Who are you calling a mentally unstable chūnibyō Crimson Demon girl? Explain yourself!"
"Megumin, be quiet! I deeply apologize, Elder. Please wait a moment while we calculate the damages. I will compensate you fully for your losses." Adam forced Megumin to bow alongside him, ignoring her protests as he offered compensation.
"I own the tavern. Your party's Arch-Priest bought premium bubble wine on credit, promising payment within a week. It's been over two weeks now."
"My sincerest apologies. I'll settle the debt now, with an additional 10% interest." After paying the owner, Adam turned to Aqua, "As punishment, you'll receive no allowance for the next three months, understood?"
"Aqua, silence!" Ignoring her tearful pleas as she clung to him, he addressed the remaining crowd.
"I'm the town's wizard. Your party's Crusader keeps trying to steal my invention!"
"And what might this invention be?"
"Modified tentacle monsters."
Good grief, I can't even!
Wait a minute — isn't this the same wizard who was at the Adventurer's Guild recently, announcing his escaped tentacle monster and posting a bounty?
And... Darkness, you're still fixated on that tentacle monster pet?!
"Don't worry, I won't let Lessroth harm any party members!" Darkness proudly thumped her chest.
Great, pet number two already has a name.
"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Wizard." Adam apologized with a deep bow, "I assure you, I'll keep our Crusader from disturbing you further."
"Come on, Adam, just buy one! Lessroth is waiting for me!"
"Darkness, be quiet!" Ignoring the eager pervert beside him, he turned to address the others.
Two female thieves stepped forward, loudly accusing Kazuma.
"Your party's perverted thief sexually harassed us in the street!"
"That's exactly right!"
These words caused an uproar!
Sexually harassing female adventurers was a serious offense that carried mandatory jail time of at least half a month.
Aqua's expression changed dramatically as she crossed her arms and stepped back, looking at Kazuma in disbelief, "Finally... unable to contain his raging desires, scumbag Kazuma has made his move on other female adventurers?"
Megumin sneered, "As expected of scumbag Kazuma — his perversion knows no bounds."
Darkness's face flushed red as she lost herself in fantasy, as if she were the one being harassed.
"Wait, hold on! There's an explanation for this!" Kazuma protested in shock, "Carter-senpai, you have to believe me!"
Adam patted his shoulder, "I've always believed in you, Kazuma-kun."
"I've always believed in you... when it comes to being a pervert!" Before Kazuma could explain further, Adam called out, "Security! Where's security?!"
In the end, though, Kazuma wasn't arrested.
The truth was that these female thieves had publicly mocked him, claiming their party's defeat of the Dullahan was mere luck rather than skill. In his anger, he'd made some threatening gestures that scared them away.
The thieves had then come to falsely accuse him, hoping to damage his reputation.
Though the misunderstanding was cleared up, his reputation as a scumbag, degenerate, and pervert remained firmly entrenched in people's minds.
"I'm exhausted. I want to retire." Adam said, massaging his temples.
The 『 Hero 』 Party's hard-earned reputation from defeating the Dullahan had been completely undermined by these troublemakers!
"We still have ξ250,000,000 — why don't we just retire to a peaceful life in the countryside? Wouldn't that be nice?" The thought of giving up was becoming increasingly appealing.
"What are you saying, Adam? We still need to defeat the Demon King!"
"That's right! I haven't even cast my ultimate Explosion Magic yet — how can we quit before we've begun!"
"I'm looking forward to being captured and humiliated by the Demon King!"
"How can adventurers not seek higher peaks? Defeating the Demon King is every adventurer's dream!"
After the villagers had dispersed, the party members continued their excited chatter.
Watching their lively and unrepentant behavior, Adam's anger grew.
"You lot... don't think this is over, do you?" He shouted, "Everyone, sit down properly——!!!"
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